Systems and methods for controlling uploading of potentially sensitive information to the internet

ABSTRACT

The disclosed computer-implemented method for controlling uploading of potentially sensitive information to the Internet may include (i) loading, at the computing device, at least a portion of a webpage and (ii) performing a security action including (A) converting, at the computing device, components of the webpage from an online status to an offline status, (B) receiving a sensitive information input to a respective offline component of the webpage, (C) converting, based on a stored user preference and in response to receiving the sensitive information input, the respective offline component to the online status, (D) buffering an outgoing network request comprising the sensitive information input, (E) receiving an approval input indicating approval to transmit the potentially sensitive information to the Internet, and (F) releasing the outgoing network request in response to receiving the approval input. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

When interacting with webpages and applications, users may providepersonal information that may be sent, without the users' knowledge orpermission, to other computers that are beyond the users' control. Forexample, while filling out forms on webpages, users may enter personalinformation, reconsider using the forms, and stop entering personalinformation midway through the forms. Some websites send the limitedquantities of personal information that are entered to other computersthat are beyond the users' control. Some of the personal informationthat might be transferred without user knowledge or control may includeidentity verification information, birth dates, social security numbers,banking information, credit card numbers, passwords, citizenshipinformation, marital status, and/or employment status. Additionally,applications and webpages providing photo filters to convert and displayuser-provided photos may send the input photos to other computers thatare beyond the users' control. Thus, though users may not intend to sendthe personal information, the websites and applications send thepersonal information anyway. Further, in some cases, users may neverknow that their personal information has been sent and may be foreverout of the users' control. The instant disclosure, therefore, identifiesand addresses a need for systems and methods for controlling uploadingof potentially sensitive information to the internet.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosuredescribes various systems and methods for controlling uploading ofpotentially sensitive information to the internet.

In one example, a method for controlling uploading of potentiallysensitive information to the internet may include (i) loading, at thecomputing device, at least a portion of a webpage and (ii) performing asecurity action including (A) converting, at the computing device,components of the webpage from an online status to an offline status,(B) receiving a sensitive information input to a respective offlinecomponent of the webpage, (C) converting, based on a stored userpreference and in response to receiving the sensitive information input,the respective offline component to the online status, (D) buffering anoutgoing network request including the sensitive information input, (E)receiving an approval input indicating approval to transmit thepotentially sensitive information to the Internet, and/or (F) releasingthe outgoing network request in response to receiving the approvalinput.

In some examples, the converting components may include (i) detectingwhen the webpage has substantially finished loading and/or (ii)initiating performing the converting in response to the detecting. Insome embodiments, converting components of a webpage from an onlinestatus to an offline status may be performed by at least one of abrowser extension, an operating system, and an application.

In an example, the webpage may include at least one of (i) a quickresponse code reader, (ii) a file encryption application, (iii) anencrypted messaging application, (iv) an address book uploadingapplication, (v) an online code editor, (vi) a visual editor, (vii) aform, (viii) a photo processing application, (ix) a photo filterapplication, (x) a network permissions setting, and/or (xi) a passwordmanager.

In an embodiment, the method may include identifying object tags in thewebpage to identify field components of the webpage requesting entry ofthe potentially sensitive information. In some examples, the method mayinclude temporarily blocking Internet access by the webpage in responseto identifying the field components of the webpage requesting entry ofthe potentially sensitive information.

In some embodiments, the method may include converting the respectiveoffline component to a user interface widget. In an example, the methodmay include displaying a padlock image substantially near an image ofthe respective offline component. In an embodiment, the method mayinclude displaying an image of the respective offline component in acolor contrasting with a color of a substantially adjacent component ofthe webpage.

In some examples, the method may include (i) identifying online andoffline components of the webpage and/or (ii) displaying at least oneidentifier indicating which components of the webpage are online. Insome embodiments, the method may include (i) marking an additionalcomponent of the webpage as for offline information only and/or (ii)blocking sensitive information entered into the additional componentfrom being sent to the Internet.

In an example, the method may include, in response to the receiving thesensitive information input (i) generating a public-private key pairand/or (ii) encrypting the sensitive information input with thepublic-private key pair, where the sensitive information input must beencrypted prior to releasing the outgoing network request.

In an embodiment, the method may include detecting a type of action thatthe network request is performing. In some embodiments, the method mayinclude passing the sensitive information input from an offline threadto an online thread in response to receiving the approval input. In anexample, the method may include requesting, via a graphical userinterface displayed on a display device, the approval input.

In one embodiment, a system for controlling uploading of potentiallysensitive information to the internet may include at least one physicalprocessor and physical memory that includes computer-executableinstructions that, when executed by the physical processor, cause thephysical processor to (i) load, at the system, at least a portion of awebpage and/or (ii) perform a security action including (A) converting,at the computing device, components of the webpage from an online statusto an offline status, (B) receiving a sensitive information input to arespective offline component of the webpage, (C) converting, based on astored user preference and in response to receiving the sensitiveinformation input, the respective offline component to the onlinestatus, (D) buffering an outgoing network request including thesensitive information input, (E) receiving an approval input indicatingapproval to transmit the potentially sensitive information to theInternet, and/or (F) releasing the outgoing network request in responseto receiving the approval input.

In some examples, the above-described method may be encoded ascomputer-readable instructions on a non-transitory computer-readablemedium. For example, a computer-readable medium may include one or morecomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least oneprocessor of a computing device, may cause the computing device to (i)load, at the computing device, at least a portion of a webpage and/or(ii) perform a security action including (A) converting, at thecomputing device, components of the webpage from an online status to anoffline status, (B) receiving a sensitive information input to arespective offline component of the webpage, (C) converting, based on astored user preference and in response to receiving the sensitiveinformation input, the respective offline component to the onlinestatus, (D) buffering an outgoing network request including thesensitive information input, (E) receiving an approval input indicatingapproval to transmit the potentially sensitive information to theInternet, and/or (F) releasing the outgoing network request in responseto receiving the approval input.

Features from any of the embodiments described herein may be used incombination with one another in accordance with the general principlesdescribed herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantageswill be more fully understood upon reading the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of example embodiments andare a part of the specification. Together with the followingdescription, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principlesof the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system for controlling uploadingof potentially sensitive information to the internet.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an additional example system forcontrolling uploading of potentially sensitive information to theinternet.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example method for controlling uploadingof potentially sensitive information to the internet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example form on an example webpage to whichthe provided techniques may be applied for controlling uploading ofpotentially sensitive information to the internet.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example form to which an example of theprovided techniques is applied for controlling uploading of potentiallysensitive information to the internet.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computing system capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustratedherein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example computing network capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustratedherein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptionsindicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While theexample embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the example embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, theinstant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods forcontrolling uploading of potentially sensitive information to theinternet.

Many modern application platforms such as desktop computing devices,mobile computing devices, and Internet-accessing devices do notdistinguish between components that have access to the Internet andcomponents that do not have access to the Internet. While it maysometimes be possible to limit the Internet access of a particularapplication (e.g., through firewall tools, browser extensions, etc.),traditional techniques do not determine which portions of applicationsmay interact with the Internet. These traditional all-or-nothingapproaches to network access result in users never being sure whether aspecific piece of sensitive information they have entered may be sent toservers via the Internet.

Traditional approaches have led to numerous privacy leaks and severalwell-known malicious attacks. For example, faulty password manager andbrowser-level autofill attacks may allow websites to harvestcredentials. Further, applications may send far more data than expected,which may enable creating user profiles that malicious actors may sell.Other examples include barcode code readers (e.g., QR code readers) thatmay read sensitive data and store the sensitive data on remote serverswithout user permission and/or user control. Moreover, conventionaltechniques may not guarantee that applications and/or webpages areperforming client-side encryption prior to sending sensitive informationand/or passwords via the Internet. In some cases, conventionaltechniques may send passwords via the Internet in plain text form.

The present disclosure is generally directed to mitigating theseconcerns by providing systems and methods for controlling uploading ofpotentially sensitive information to the internet. In some examples,provided are offline execution environments that enable applicationsand/or webpages to process user information locally while not allowingthe user information to leave the user computer device without userapproval for online communication. In some embodiments, the providedtechniques may be provided by operating systems, applications, webbrowser extensions, plug-ins, mobile device software, the like, or acombination thereof. In some embodiments, the provided techniques may beprovided with or without permission of developers of related software.In some examples, provided are techniques that expose actions ofcontravening applications to users.

In some embodiments, provided techniques may empower applicationdevelopers to distinguish between offline and online components ofapplications (e.g., by identifying which components are offline onlycomponents). In some examples, provided techniques may provide tools todetect accidental privacy leakage (e.g., applications will not work whenoffline components are accessed by online components). Further,splitting trust between applications developers, operating systemdevelopers, and browser developers may provide users with confidencethat applications function with minimal (if any) privacy leakage. Also,when application developers must run third-party instructions, runningthese instructions in offline environments may provide users withadditional protections. In some embodiments, the provided techniques mayenable reviewers and automatic checkers of applications and/or webpagesto flag problematic applications and/or webpages as being insensitive touser privacy.

In some examples, offline execution environments may be provided in anyof mobile phone applications, web browsers, and/or desktop applications.In some examples, user interfaces and/or information entry fields mayhave special indicators showing that certain information may not betransferred via the Internet (e.g., to servers).

In some embodiments, provided techniques may provide language-level(e.g., taint tracking) restrictions. In some examples, providedtechniques may mark variables as including offline data (e.g., at thelanguage level) and may indicate that variables that interact withmarked variables may also be tainted. In some examples, these taintedvariables may have access to message-passing interfaces and/or theInternet disabled.

In some examples, provided techniques may provide one-way messagepassing and output-only (i.e., write-only) user interface fields. Forexample, user interface models may provide “offline-output” fields foruser interfaces, where threads in offline execution environments maywrite. Threads in offline execution environments may receive data fromoutside of the offline execution environments but may not be capable ofsending data out.

In some embodiments, provided techniques may provide platform-leveldifferential privacy or data-independent computing. Similar tocryptography, platforms may be entrusted to perform correct computation,thus “laundering” the contents into aggregate statistics which may thenbe used on servers. An example of this is the generation ofpublic-private key pairs, where only the public key is extractable afterthe operation has completed.

In some examples, provided techniques may provide user interface widgetsthat are “local-read-only” and that may only be read from offlineexecution environments to get user input. The semantics for this in HTMLmight look like:

-   -   <input offline-only=“true” type=“file” name=“picture”        id=“picture”/>        In some examples, to visually distinguish these elements, the        elements may incorporate a padlock design (e.g., similar to the        padlock design indicated when using HTTPS). In some embodiments,        there may be some platform-level indicators that users are        typing in an offline-only field, such as a change in the browser        color (e.g., similar to the switch-over to Incognito        mode/private browsing). In some examples, browser-level gadgets        may be used to submit offline-only fields to online components.

By doing so, the systems and methods described herein may improve thesecurity of computing devices and/or provide targeted protection againstprivacy leakage, malware, and/or malicious users. In some examples, thesystems and methods described herein may advantageously help usersidentify online and offline components of user interfaces. In someembodiments, the systems and methods described herein may advantageouslyhelp software developers produce privacy-preserving applications. Insome embodiments, the systems and methods described herein mayadvantageously provide taint tracking to identify locations of sensitiveinformation during executing applications. As such, the providedtechniques may advantageously protect users by beneficially reducingsecurity risks posed by privacy leakage, malicious processes, and/ormalicious users.

The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1-2, detaileddescriptions of example systems for controlling uploading of potentiallysensitive information to the internet. Detailed descriptions ofcorresponding computer-implemented methods will also be provided inconnection with FIGS. 3-5. In addition, detailed descriptions of anexample computing system and network architecture capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described herein will beprovided in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system 100 for controllinguploading of potentially sensitive information to the internet. Asillustrated in this figure, example system 100 may include one or moremodules 102 for performing one or more tasks. As will be explained ingreater detail below, modules 102 may include a loading module 104, aperforming module 106, a first converting module 108, a first receivingmodule 110, a second converting module 112, a buffering module 114, asecond receiving module 116, and/or a releasing module 118. Althoughillustrated as separate elements, one or more of modules 102 in FIG. 1may represent portions of a single module or application. In certainembodiments, one or more of modules 102 in FIG. 1 may represent one ormore software applications or programs that, when executed by acomputing device, may cause the computing device to perform one or moretasks. For example, and as will be described in greater detail below,one or more of modules 102 may represent modules stored and configuredto run on one or more computing devices, such as the devices illustratedin FIG. 2 (e.g., computing device 202 and/or server 206). One or more ofmodules 102 in FIG. 1 may also represent all or portions of one or morespecial-purpose computers configured to perform one or more tasks.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, example system 100 may also include one ormore tangible storage devices, such as storage device 120. Storagedevice 120 generally represents any type or form of volatile ornon-volatile storage device or medium capable of storing data and/orcomputer-readable instructions. In one example, storage device 120 maystore, load, and/or maintain information indicating one or more of awebpage 121, a security action 122, components 123 of a webpage (e.g.,webpage 121), a sensitive information input 124, an offline component125 (e.g., of a webpage), a user preference 126 (e.g., for automaticallyconverting an offline component to an online component in response toreceiving a sensitive information input or not automatically convertingan offline component to an online component in response to receiving asensitive information input), an outgoing network request 127, anapproval input 128 (e.g., indicating approval to transmit potentiallysensitive information to and/or via the Internet), and/or an onlinecomponent 129 (e.g., of a webpage). In some examples, storage device 120may generally represent multiple storage devices. Examples of storagedevice 120 include, without limitation, Random Access Memory (RAM), ReadOnly Memory (ROM), flash memory, Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), Solid-StateDrives (SSDs), optical disk drives, caches, a cloud-based storagedevice, variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/orany other suitable storage memory.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, example system 100 may also include one ormore physical processors, such as physical processor 130. Physicalprocessor 130 generally represents any type or form ofhardware-implemented processing unit capable of interpreting and/orexecuting computer-readable instructions. In one example, physicalprocessor 130 may access and/or modify one or more of modules 102 storedin memory 140. Additionally or alternatively, physical processor 130 mayexecute one or more of modules 102 to facilitate controlling uploadingof potentially sensitive information to the internet. Examples ofphysical processor 130 include, without limitation, microprocessors,microcontrollers, Central Processing Units (CPUs), Field-ProgrammableGate Arrays (FPGAs) that implement softcore processors,Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), portions of one ormore of the same, variations or combinations of one or more of the same,and/or any other suitable physical processor.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, example system 100 may also include one ormore memory devices, such as memory 140. Memory 140 generally representsany type or form of volatile or non-volatile storage device or mediumcapable of storing data and/or computer-readable instructions. In oneexample, memory 140 may store, load, and/or maintain one or more ofmodules 102. Examples of memory 140 include, without limitation, RandomAccess Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, Hard DiskDrives (HDDs), Solid-State Drives (SSDs), optical disk drives, caches,variations or combinations of one or more of the same, and/or any othersuitable storage memory.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, example system 100 may also include one ormore network adapters, such as network adapter 150. In some examples,network adapter 150 may be a physical network adapter connected to aphysical network (e.g., network 204 in FIG. 2).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, example system 100 may also include one ormore display devices, such as display 160. Display 160 generallyrepresents any type or form of device capable of visually displayinginformation (e.g., to a user). In some examples, display 160 may presenta graphical user interface. In non-limiting examples, display 160 maypresent at least a portion of information indicating one or more ofwebpage 121, security action 122, components 123, sensitive informationinput 124, offline component 125, user preference 126, outgoing networkrequest 127, approval input 128, and/or online component 129.

Example system 100 in FIG. 1 may be implemented in a variety of ways.For example, all or a portion of example system 100 may representportions of example system 200 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, system 200may include a computing device 202 in communication with a server 206via a network 204. In one example, all or a portion of the functionalityof modules 102 may be performed by computing device 202, server 206,and/or any other suitable computing system. As will be described ingreater detail below, one or more of modules 102 from FIG. 1 may, whenexecuted by at least one processor of computing device 202 and/or server206, enable computing device 202 and/or server 206 to control uploadingof potentially sensitive information to the Internet. For example, andas will be described in greater detail below, one or more of modules 102may cause computing device 202 and/or server 206 to (i) load at least aportion of webpage 121 and (ii) perform security action 122 including(A) converting components of webpage 121 from an online status to anoffline status, (B) receiving sensitive information input 124 torespective offline component 125 of webpage 121, (C) converting, basedon stored user preference 126 and in response to receiving sensitiveinformation input 124, respective offline component 125 to the onlinestatus, (D) buffering outgoing network request 127 including sensitiveinformation input 124, (E) receiving approval input 128 indicatingapproval to transmit potentially sensitive information 124 to theInternet, and (F) releasing outgoing network request 127 in response toreceiving approval input 128.

Computing device 202 generally represents any type or form of computingdevice capable of reading computer-executable instructions. In someexamples, computing device 202 may represent a computer running securitysoftware, such as privacy software. Additional examples of computingdevice 202 include, without limitation, laptops, tablets, desktops,servers, mobile devices, cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants(PDAs), multimedia players, embedded systems, wearable devices (e.g.,smart watches, smart glasses, etc.), smart vehicles, smart packaging(e.g., active or intelligent packaging), gaming consoles, so-calledInternet-of-Things devices (e.g., smart appliances, etc.), variations orcombinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other suitablecomputing device.

Network 204 generally represents any medium or architecture capable offacilitating communication or data transfer. In one example, network 204may facilitate communication between computing device 202 and server206. In this example, network 204 may facilitate communication or datatransfer using wireless and/or wired connections. Examples of network204 include, without limitation, an intranet, a Wide Area Network (WAN),a Local Area Network (LAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), the Internet,Power Line Communications (PLC), a cellular network (e.g., a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM) network), portions of one or moreof the same, variations or combinations of one or more of the same,and/or any other suitable network.

Server 206 generally represents any type or form of computing devicethat is capable of reading computer-executable instructions. In someexamples, server 206 may represent a computer running security software,such as privacy software. Additional examples of server 206 include,without limitation, security servers, application servers, web servers,storage servers, and/or database servers configured to run certainsoftware applications and/or provide various security, web, storage,and/or database services. Although illustrated as a single entity inFIG. 2, server 206 may include and/or represent a plurality of serversthat work and/or operate in conjunction with one another.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example computer-implemented method 300for controlling uploading of potentially sensitive information to theinternet. The steps shown in FIG. 3 may be performed by any suitablecomputer-executable code and/or computing system, including system 100in FIG. 1, system 200 in FIG. 2, and/or variations or combinations ofone or more of the same. In one example, each of the steps shown in FIG.3 may represent an algorithm whose structure includes and/or isrepresented by multiple sub-steps, examples of which will be provided ingreater detail below. In some examples, techniques applicable towebsites may be applied to applications to control uploading ofpotentially sensitive information to the Internet.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 302 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may load (e.g., at a computing device), at least aportion of webpages and/or applications. The systems described hereinmay perform step 302 in a variety of ways. For example, loading module104 may, as part of computing device 202 in FIG. 2, load at least aportion of webpage 121.

In some examples, the webpage may include at least one of (i) a quickresponse code reader, (ii) a file encryption application, (iii) anencrypted messaging application, (iv) an address book uploadingapplication, (v) an online code editor, (vi) a visual editor, (vii) aform, (viii) a photo processing application, (ix) a photo filterapplication, (x) a network permissions setting, and/or (11) a passwordmanager.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 304 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may perform security actions (e.g., including at leastone of steps 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and/or 316). The systems describedherein may perform step 304 in a variety of ways. For example,performing module 106 may, as part of computing device 202 in FIG. 2,perform security action 122.

In examples, security actions may include prophylactic measures taken tosafeguard electronic information. Prophylactic measures may include actsundertaken to prevent, detect, and/or mitigate vulnerabilities ofelectronic computing devices, to implement computer security policies(e.g., detecting privacy leakage), to detect malicious activities onelectronic computing devices, and/or to thwart malicious activities onelectronic computing devices.

In some examples, method 300 may further include performing at least onesecurity action in response to detecting privacy leakage, detectingvulnerabilities of electronic computing devices, detecting potentialsecurity risks directed toward the electronic computing devices,detecting malicious activity directed toward the electronic computingdevices, or a combination thereof. In some examples, security actionsmay be performed in an attempt to ameliorate potential security risks.For example, performing modules may identify potential security risksand in response performing modules may perform security actions inattempts to ameliorate the potential security risks. Security actionsmay include pausing and/or stopping acts by users and/or autonomousprocesses executing on computers.

Security actions may also include notifying users of potential securityrisks (e.g., via graphical user interfaces depicted on displays). Insome examples, security actions may include preventing data entry intouser interfaces and/or displaying warnings on user displays. Inadditional examples, the security actions may include displaying, onuser displays, warnings indicating that user approval is required toupload sensitive information to the Internet.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 306 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may convert components of the webpages and/or theapplications from an online status to an offline status. The systemsdescribed herein may perform step 306 in a variety of ways. For example,first converting module 108 may, as part of computing device 202 in FIG.2, convert components of webpage 121 from an online status to an offlinestatus.

In some examples, the converting components of the webpage and/orapplication from the online status to the offline status may include (i)detecting when the webpage and/or an application has substantiallyfinished loading and/or (ii) initiating performing the converting inresponse to the detecting. Fields on the webpage and attribute names maybe identified, such as by natural language interpretation of theattribute names.

In some embodiments, converting components of the webpage from theonline status to the offline status may be performed by at least one ofa browser extension, an operating system, and/or an application.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 308 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may receive sensitive information inputs to respectiveoffline components of the webpages and/or applications. The systemsdescribed herein may perform step 308 in a variety of ways. For example,first receiving module 110 may, as part of computing device 202 in FIG.2, receive sensitive information input 124 to respective offlinecomponent 125 of webpage 121.

In some embodiments, method 300 may include identifying object tags inthe webpage and/or application to identify field components of thewebpage and/or application requesting entry of the potentially sensitiveinformation. In some examples, method 300 may include temporarilyblocking Internet access by the webpage and/or application in responseto identifying the field components of the webpage and/or applicationrequesting entry of the potentially sensitive information.

In some examples, method 300 may include requesting, via a graphicaluser interface displayed on a display device, the sensitive informationinput.

In some embodiments, method 300 may include converting the respectiveoffline component to a user interface widget.

In an example, method 300 may include displaying a padlock imagesubstantially near an image of the respective offline component. In anembodiment, method 300 may include displaying an image of the respectiveoffline component in a color contrasting with a color of a substantiallyadjacent component of the webpage and/or user interface.

In some examples, method 300 may include (i) identifying online andoffline components of the webpage and/or (ii) displaying at least oneidentifier indicating which components of the webpage are online.

In some embodiments, method 300 may include (i) marking an additionalcomponent of the webpage as for offline information only and/or (ii)blocking sensitive information entered into the additional componentfrom being sent to the Internet.

In an example, method 300 may include, in response to the receiving thesensitive information input (i) generating a public-private key pairand/or (ii) encrypting the sensitive information input with thepublic-private key pair. In some embodiments, the sensitive informationinput must be encrypted prior to releasing the outgoing network request.In some examples, users may approve releases of sensitive informationonly after the sensitive information is encrypted. In some embodiments,this technique may provide users with confidence that their sensitiveinformation is encrypted (e.g., by platforms, operating systems,browsers, the like, or a combination thereof) before being released. Insome examples, this technique may advantageously provide users withconfidence that their sensitive information is substantially alwaysencrypted before being released. In an example, in encrypted messagingapplications, the provided techniques may advantageously instill userconfidence by releasing sensitive information only in encryptedmessages.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 310 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may convert (e.g., based on a stored user preferenceand in response to receiving the sensitive information input) therespective offline components to the online status. The systemsdescribed herein may perform step 310 in a variety of ways. For example,second converting module 112 may, as part of computing device 202 inFIG. 2, convert, based on stored user preference 126 and in response toreceiving sensitive information input 124, respective offline component125 to the online status.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 312 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may buffer outgoing network requests including thesensitive information inputs. The systems described herein may performstep 312 in a variety of ways. For example, buffering module 114 may, aspart of computing device 202 in FIG. 2, buffer outgoing network request127 including sensitive information input 124.

In some embodiments, method 300 may include detecting a type of actionthat the network request is performing.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 314 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may receive approval inputs indicating approvals totransmit the potentially sensitive information to the Internet. Thesystems described herein may perform step 314 in a variety of ways. Forexample, second receiving module 116 may, as part of computing device202 in FIG. 2, receive approval input 128 indicating approval totransmit potentially sensitive information 124 to the Internet.

In some examples, method 300 may include requesting, via a graphicaluser interface displayed on a display device, the approval input. Insome embodiments, method 300 may include a browser and/or applicationproviding a visual indication (e.g., via a display) that actuating aninput approval image will submit sensitive information (e.g., in fieldsthat are offline) to another computing device (e.g., via the Internet).In some examples, approval input images (e.g., buttons, drop-down boxes,file upload images, file selection images, an image, the like, or acombination thereof) may be added to webpages in locations substantiallynear at least some input field components of the webpages. In someembodiments, approval input images may be provided on a per-form basis.In some embodiments, approval input images may be provided on aper-website basis. In some examples, users may actuate approval inputimages to submit approval inputs. In some examples, failing to actuateapproval input images denies (e.g., by default) submitting approvalinputs. In some embodiments, approval input images may be provided toapprove sending sensitive information to and/or from other applicationson mobile devices. In some examples, approval input images may beprovided to approve sending sensitive information to and/or from otherwebpages on mobile devices.

We turn now to examples in FIGS. 4-5. FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exampleform 400 on an example webpage to which the provided techniques may beapplied for controlling uploading of potentially sensitive informationto the internet. FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 of the example form 400 towhich an example of the provided techniques is applied for controllinguploading of potentially sensitive information to the internet. Diagram500 depicts results of applying at least portions of method 300 toexample form 400, such as of (i) converting components of webpage from400 an online status to an offline status, (ii) receiving sensitiveinformation inputs to respective offline components of the webpage, and(iii) requesting, via a graphical user interface, approval input (i.e.,with “Track” buttons). When users actuate approval input images, theusers may submit approval inputs for sensitive information input intorespective input field objects.

Returning to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, method 300 may include passingthe sensitive information input from an offline thread to an onlinethread in response to receiving the approval input. In an example, onlyoffline threads may read information in offline fields.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 316 one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may release the outgoing network requests in responseto receiving the approval inputs. The systems described herein mayperform step 316 in a variety of ways. For example, releasing module 118may, as part of computing device 202 in FIG. 2, release outgoing networkrequest 127 in response to receiving approval input 128.

As detailed above, the steps outlined in method 300 in FIG. 3 may enablecontrolling uploading of potentially sensitive information to theinternet. For example, the systems described herein may (i) load, at thesystem, at least a portion of a webpage and/or (ii) perform a securityaction including (A) converting, at the computing device, components ofthe webpage from an online status to an offline status, (B) receiving asensitive information input to a respective offline component of thewebpage, (C) converting, based on a stored user preference and inresponse to receiving the sensitive information input, the respectiveoffline component to the online status, (D) buffering an outgoingnetwork request including the sensitive information input, (E) receivingan approval input indicating approval to transmit the potentiallysensitive information to the Internet, and/or (F) releasing the outgoingnetwork request in response to receiving the approval input. By doingso, the systems and methods described herein may improve the security ofcomputing devices and/or provide targeted protection against privacyleakage, malware, and/or malicious users.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example computing system 610 capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustratedherein. For example, all or a portion of computing system 610 mayperform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or in combinationwith other elements, one or more of the steps described herein (such asone or more of the steps illustrated in FIG. 3). All or a portion ofcomputing system 610 may also perform and/or be a means for performingany other steps, methods, or processes described and/or illustratedherein.

Computing system 610 broadly represents any single or multi-processorcomputing device or system capable of executing computer-readableinstructions. Examples of computing system 610 include, withoutlimitation, workstations, laptops, client-side terminals, servers,distributed computing systems, handheld devices, or any other computingsystem or device. In its most basic configuration, computing system 610may include at least one processor 614 and a system memory 616.

Processor 614 generally represents any type or form of physicalprocessing unit (e.g., a hardware-implemented central processing unit)capable of processing data or interpreting and executing instructions.In certain embodiments, processor 614 may receive instructions from asoftware application or module. These instructions may cause processor614 to perform the functions of one or more of the example embodimentsdescribed and/or illustrated herein.

System memory 616 generally represents any type or form of volatile ornon-volatile storage device or medium capable of storing data and/orother computer-readable instructions. Examples of system memory 616include, without limitation, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read OnlyMemory (ROM), flash memory, or any other suitable memory device.Although not required, in certain embodiments computing system 610 mayinclude both a volatile memory unit (such as, for example, system memory616) and a non-volatile storage device (such as, for example, primarystorage device 632, as described in detail below). In one example, oneor more of modules 102 from FIG. 1 may be loaded into system memory 616.

In some examples, system memory 616 may store and/or load an operatingsystem 640 for execution by processor 614. In one example, operatingsystem 640 may include and/or represent software that manages computerhardware and software resources and/or provides common services tocomputer programs and/or applications on computing system 610. Examplesof operating system 640 include, without limitation, LINUX, JUNOS,MICROSOFT WINDOWS, WINDOWS MOBILE, MAC OS, APPLE'S 10S, UNIX, GOOGLECHROME OS, GOOGLE'S ANDROID, SOLARIS, variations of one or more of thesame, and/or any other suitable operating system.

In certain embodiments, example computing system 610 may also includeone or more components or elements in addition to processor 614 andsystem memory 616. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, computingsystem 610 may include a memory controller 618, an Input/Output (I/O)controller 620, and a communication interface 622, each of which may beinterconnected via a communication infrastructure 612. Communicationinfrastructure 612 generally represents any type or form ofinfrastructure capable of facilitating communication between one or morecomponents of a computing device. Examples of communicationinfrastructure 612 include, without limitation, a communication bus(such as an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI), PCI Express (PCIe), or similar bus) and a network.

Memory controller 618 generally represents any type or form of devicecapable of handling memory or data or controlling communication betweenone or more components of computing system 610. For example, in certainembodiments memory controller 618 may control communication betweenprocessor 614, system memory 616, and I/O controller 620 viacommunication infrastructure 612.

I/O controller 620 generally represents any type or form of modulecapable of coordinating and/or controlling the input and outputfunctions of a computing device. For example, in certain embodiments I/Ocontroller 620 may control or facilitate transfer of data between one ormore elements of computing system 610, such as processor 614, systemmemory 616, communication interface 622, display adapter 626, inputinterface 630, and storage interface 634.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, computing system 610 may also include at leastone display device 624 coupled to I/O controller 620 via a displayadapter 626. Display device 624 generally represents any type or form ofdevice capable of visually displaying information forwarded by displayadapter 626. Similarly, display adapter 626 generally represents anytype or form of device configured to forward graphics, text, and otherdata from communication infrastructure 612 (or from a frame buffer, asknown in the art) for display on display device 624.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, example computing system 610 may also includeat least one input device 628 coupled to I/O controller 620 via an inputinterface 630. Input device 628 generally represents any type or form ofinput device capable of providing input, either computer or humangenerated, to example computing system 610. Examples of input device 628include, without limitation, a keyboard, a pointing device, a speechrecognition device, variations or combinations of one or more of thesame, and/or any other input device.

Additionally or alternatively, example computing system 610 may includeadditional I/O devices. For example, example computing system 610 mayinclude I/O device 636. In this example, I/O device 636 may includeand/or represent a user interface that facilitates human interactionwith computing system 610. Examples of I/O device 636 include, withoutlimitation, a computer mouse, a keyboard, a monitor, a printer, a modem,a camera, a scanner, a microphone, a touchscreen device, variations orcombinations of one or more of the same, and/or any other I/O device.

Communication interface 622 broadly represents any type or form ofcommunication device or adapter capable of facilitating communicationbetween example computing system 610 and one or more additional devices.For example, in certain embodiments communication interface 622 mayfacilitate communication between computing system 610 and a private orpublic network including additional computing systems. Examples ofcommunication interface 622 include, without limitation, a wired networkinterface (such as a network interface card), a wireless networkinterface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, and anyother suitable interface. In at least one embodiment, communicationinterface 622 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via adirect link to a network, such as the Internet. Communication interface622 may also indirectly provide such a connection through, for example,a local area network (such as an Ethernet network), a personal areanetwork, a telephone or cable network, a cellular telephone connection,a satellite data connection, or any other suitable connection.

In certain embodiments, communication interface 622 may also represent ahost adapter configured to facilitate communication between computingsystem 610 and one or more additional network or storage devices via anexternal bus or communications channel. Examples of host adaptersinclude, without limitation, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) hostadapters, Universal Serial Bus (USB) host adapters, Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 host adapters, AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA), Parallel ATA (PATA), Serial ATA (SATA), andExternal SATA (eSATA) host adapters, Fibre Channel interface adapters,Ethernet adapters, or the like. Communication interface 622 may alsoallow computing system 610 to engage in distributed or remote computing.For example, communication interface 622 may receive instructions from aremote device or send instructions to a remote device for execution.

In some examples, system memory 616 may store and/or load a networkcommunication program 638 for execution by processor 614. In oneexample, network communication program 638 may include and/or representsoftware that enables computing system 610 to establish a networkconnection 642 with another computing system (not illustrated in FIG. 6)and/or communicate with the other computing system by way ofcommunication interface 622. In this example, network communicationprogram 638 may direct the flow of outgoing traffic that is sent to theother computing system via network connection 642. Additionally oralternatively, network communication program 638 may direct theprocessing of incoming traffic that is received from the other computingsystem via network connection 642 in connection with processor 614.

Although not illustrated in this way in FIG. 6, network communicationprogram 638 may alternatively be stored and/or loaded in communicationinterface 622. For example, network communication program 638 mayinclude and/or represent at least a portion of software and/or firmwarethat is executed by a processor and/or Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) incorporated in communication interface 622.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, example computing system 610 may also includea primary storage device 632 and a backup storage device 633 coupled tocommunication infrastructure 612 via a storage interface 634. Storagedevices 632 and 633 generally represent any type or form of storagedevice or medium capable of storing data and/or other computer-readableinstructions. For example, storage devices 632 and 633 may be a magneticdisk drive (e.g., a so-called hard drive), a solid state drive, a floppydisk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash drive,or the like. Storage interface 634 generally represents any type or formof interface or device for transferring data between storage devices 632and 633 and other components of computing system 610. In one example,storage device 120 from FIG. 1 may be at least a part of primary storagedevice 632.

In certain embodiments, storage devices 632 and 633 may be configured toread from and/or write to a removable storage unit configured to storecomputer software, data, or other computer-readable information.Examples of suitable removable storage units include, withoutlimitation, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a flashmemory device, or the like. Storage devices 632 and 633 may also includeother similar structures or devices for allowing computer software,data, or other computer-readable instructions to be loaded intocomputing system 610. For example, storage devices 632 and 633 may beconfigured to read and write software, data, or other computer-readableinformation. Storage devices 632 and 633 may also be a part of computingsystem 610 or may be a separate device accessed through other interfacesystems.

Many other devices or subsystems may be connected to computing system610. Conversely, all of the components and devices illustrated in FIG. 6need not be present to practice the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein. The devices and subsystems referenced above may alsobe interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 6. Computingsystem 610 may also employ any number of software, firmware, and/orhardware configurations. For example, one or more of the exampleembodiments disclosed herein may be encoded as a computer program (alsoreferred to as computer software, software applications,computer-readable instructions, or computer control logic) on acomputer-readable medium. The term “computer-readable medium,” as usedherein, generally refers to any form of device, carrier, or mediumcapable of storing or carrying computer-readable instructions. Examplesof computer-readable media include, without limitation,transmission-type media, such as carrier waves, and non-transitory-typemedia, such as magnetic-storage media (e.g., hard disk drives, tapedrives, and floppy disks), optical-storage media (e.g., Compact Disks(CDs), Digital Video Disks (DVDs), and BLU-RAY disks),electronic-storage media (e.g., solid-state drives and flash media), andother distribution systems.

The computer-readable medium containing the computer program may beloaded into computing system 610. All or a portion of the computerprogram stored on the computer-readable medium may then be stored insystem memory 616 and/or various portions of storage devices 632 and633. When executed by processor 614, a computer program loaded intocomputing system 610 may cause processor 614 to perform and/or be ameans for performing the functions of one or more of the exampleembodiments described and/or illustrated herein. Additionally oralternatively, one or more of the example embodiments described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented in firmware and/or hardware. Forexample, computing system 610 may be configured as an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) adapted to implement one or more ofthe example embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example network architecture 700 inwhich client systems 710, 720, and 730 and servers 740 and 745 may becoupled to a network 750. As detailed above, all or a portion of networkarchitecture 700 may perform and/or be a means for performing, eitheralone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the stepsdisclosed herein (such as one or more of the steps illustrated in FIG.3). All or a portion of network architecture 700 may also be used toperform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features setforth in the instant disclosure.

Client systems 710, 720, and 730 generally represent any type or form ofcomputing device or system, such as example computing system 610 in FIG.6. Similarly, servers 740 and 745 generally represent computing devicesor systems, such as application servers or database servers, configuredto provide various database services and/or run certain softwareapplications. Network 750 generally represents any telecommunication orcomputer network including, for example, an intranet, a WAN, a LAN, aPAN, or the Internet. In one example, client systems 710, 720, and/or730 and/or servers 740 and/or 745 may include all or a portion of system100 from FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more storage devices 760(1)-(N) may bedirectly attached to server 740. Similarly, one or more storage devices770(1)-(N) may be directly attached to server 745. Storage devices760(1)-(N) and storage devices 770(1)-(N) generally represent any typeor form of storage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions. In certain embodiments, storage devices760(1)-(N) and storage devices 770(1)-(N) may represent Network-AttachedStorage (NAS) devices configured to communicate with servers 740 and 745using various protocols, such as Network File System (NFS), ServerMessage Block (SMB), or Common Internet File System (CIFS).

Servers 740 and 745 may also be connected to a Storage Area Network(SAN) fabric 780. SAN fabric 780 generally represents any type or formof computer network or architecture capable of facilitatingcommunication between a plurality of storage devices. SAN fabric 780 mayfacilitate communication between servers 740 and 745 and a plurality ofstorage devices 790(1)-(N) and/or an intelligent storage array 795. SANfabric 780 may also facilitate, via network 750 and servers 740 and 745,communication between client systems 710, 720, and 730 and storagedevices 790(1)-(N) and/or intelligent storage array 795 in such a mannerthat devices 790(1)-(N) and array 795 appear as locally attached devicesto client systems 710, 720, and 730. As with storage devices 760(1)-(N)and storage devices 770(1)-(N), storage devices 790(1)-(N) andintelligent storage array 795 generally represent any type or form ofstorage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions.

In certain embodiments, and with reference to example computing system610 of FIG. 6, a communication interface, such as communicationinterface 622 in FIG. 6, may be used to provide connectivity betweeneach client system 710, 720, and 730 and network 750. Client systems710, 720, and 730 may be able to access information on server 740 or 745using, for example, a web browser or other client software. Suchsoftware may allow client systems 710, 720, and 730 to access datahosted by server 740, server 745, storage devices 760(1)-(N), storagedevices 770(1)-(N), storage devices 790(1)-(N), or intelligent storagearray 795. Although FIG. 7 depicts the use of a network (such as theInternet) for exchanging data, the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein are not limited to the Internet or any particularnetwork-based environment.

In at least one embodiment, all or a portion of one or more of theexample embodiments disclosed herein may be encoded as a computerprogram and loaded onto and executed by server 740, server 745, storagedevices 760(1)-(N), storage devices 770(1)-(N), storage devices790(1)-(N), intelligent storage array 795, or any combination thereof.All or a portion of one or more of the example embodiments disclosedherein may also be encoded as a computer program, stored in server 740,run by server 745, and distributed to client systems 710, 720, and 730over network 750.

As detailed above, computing system 610 and/or one or more components ofnetwork architecture 700 may perform and/or be a means for performing,either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more steps ofan example method for controlling uploading of potentially sensitiveinformation to the Internet.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be consideredexample in nature since many other architectures can be implemented toachieve the same functionality.

In some examples, all or a portion of example system 100 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent portions of a cloud-computing or network-based environment.Cloud-computing environments may provide various services andapplications via the Internet. These cloud-based services (e.g.,software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as aservice, etc.) may be accessible through a web browser or other remoteinterface. Various functions described herein may be provided through aremote desktop environment or any other cloud-based computingenvironment.

In various embodiments, all or a portion of example system 100 in FIG. 1may facilitate multi-tenancy within a cloud-based computing environment.In other words, the software modules described herein may configure acomputing system (e.g., a server) to facilitate multi-tenancy for one ormore of the functions described herein. For example, one or more of thesoftware modules described herein may program a server to enable two ormore clients (e.g., customers) to share an application that is runningon the server. A server programmed in this manner may share anapplication, operating system, processing system, and/or storage systemamong multiple customers (i.e., tenants). One or more of the modulesdescribed herein may also partition data and/or configurationinformation of a multi-tenant application for each customer such thatone customer cannot access data and/or configuration information ofanother customer.

According to various embodiments, all or a portion of example system 100in FIG. 1 may be implemented within a virtual environment. For example,the modules and/or data described herein may reside and/or executewithin a virtual machine. As used herein, the term “virtual machine”generally refers to any operating system environment that is abstractedfrom computing hardware by a virtual machine manager (e.g., ahypervisor). Additionally or alternatively, the modules and/or datadescribed herein may reside and/or execute within a virtualizationlayer. As used herein, the term “virtualization layer” generally refersto any data layer and/or application layer that overlays and/or isabstracted from an operating system environment. A virtualization layermay be managed by a software virtualization solution (e.g., a filesystem filter) that presents the virtualization layer as though it werepart of an underlying base operating system. For example, a softwarevirtualization solution may redirect calls that are initially directedto locations within a base file system and/or registry to locationswithin a virtualization layer.

In some examples, all or a portion of example system 100 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent portions of a mobile computing environment. Mobile computingenvironments may be implemented by a wide range of mobile computingdevices, including mobile phones, tablet computers, e-book readers,personal digital assistants, wearable computing devices (e.g., computingdevices with a head-mounted display, smartwatches, etc.), and the like.In some examples, mobile computing environments may have one or moredistinct features, including, for example, reliance on battery power,presenting only one foreground application at any given time, remotemanagement features, touchscreen features, location and movement data(e.g., provided by Global Positioning Systems, gyroscopes,accelerometers, etc.), restricted platforms that restrict modificationsto system-level configurations and/or that limit the ability ofthird-party software to inspect the behavior of other applications,controls to restrict the installation of applications (e.g., to onlyoriginate from approved application stores), etc. Various functionsdescribed herein may be provided for a mobile computing environmentand/or may interact with a mobile computing environment.

In addition, all or a portion of example system 100 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent portions of, interact with, consume data produced by, and/orproduce data consumed by one or more systems for information management.As used herein, the term “information management” may refer to theprotection, organization, and/or storage of data. Examples of systemsfor information management may include, without limitation, storagesystems, backup systems, archival systems, replication systems, highavailability systems, data search systems, virtualization systems, andthe like.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of example system 100 in FIG. 1may represent portions of, produce data protected by, and/or communicatewith one or more systems for information security. As used herein, theterm “information security” may refer to the control of access toprotected data. Examples of systems for information security mayinclude, without limitation, systems providing managed securityservices, data loss prevention systems, identity authentication systems,access control systems, encryption systems, policy compliance systems,intrusion detection and prevention systems, electronic discoverysystems, and the like.

According to some examples, all or a portion of example system 100 inFIG. 1 may represent portions of, communicate with, and/or receiveprotection from one or more systems for endpoint security. As usedherein, the term “endpoint security” may refer to the protection ofendpoint systems from unauthorized and/or illegitimate use, access,and/or control. Examples of systems for endpoint protection may include,without limitation, anti-malware systems, user authentication systems,encryption systems, privacy systems, spam-filtering services, and thelike.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various example methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

While various embodiments have been described and/or illustrated hereinin the context of fully functional computing systems, one or more ofthese example embodiments may be distributed as a program product in avariety of forms, regardless of the particular type of computer-readablemedia used to actually carry out the distribution. The embodimentsdisclosed herein may also be implemented using software modules thatperform certain tasks. These software modules may include script, batch,or other executable files that may be stored on a computer-readablestorage medium or in a computing system. In some embodiments, thesesoftware modules may configure a computing system to perform one or moreof the example embodiments disclosed herein.

In addition, one or more of the modules described herein may transformdata, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices fromone form to another. For example, one or more of the modules recitedherein may receive components of a webpage to be transformed, transformthe components of the webpage, output a result of the transformation toa display, use the result of the transformation to control uploadingpotentially sensitive information to the internet, and store the resultof the transformation in a storage device. Additionally oralternatively, one or more of the modules recited herein may transform aprocessor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and/or any otherportion of a physical computing device from one form to another byexecuting on the computing device, storing data on the computing device,and/or otherwise interacting with the computing device.

The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled inthe art to best utilize various aspects of the example embodimentsdisclosed herein. This example description is not intended to beexhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of the instant disclosure. The embodiments disclosedherein should be considered in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive. Reference should be made to the appended claims and theirequivalents in determining the scope of the instant disclosure.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (andtheir derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to beconstrued as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via otherelements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,”as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning“at least one of.” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including” and“having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification andclaims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word“comprising.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for controllinguploading of potentially sensitive information to the Internet, at leasta portion of the method being performed by a computing device comprisingat least one processor, the method comprising: loading, at the computingdevice, at least a portion of a webpage; and performing a securityaction comprising: converting, at the computing device, components ofthe webpage from an online status to an offline status; receiving asensitive information input to a respective offline component of thewebpage; converting, based on a stored user preference that indicatesautomatically converting an offline component to the online status inresponse to receiving the sensitive information input, the respectiveoffline component to the online status; buffering an outgoing networkrequest comprising the sensitive information input; receiving anapproval input indicating approval to transmit the potentially sensitiveinformation to the Internet; and releasing the outgoing network requestin response to receiving the approval input.
 2. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein converting components of a webpage from anonline status to an offline status further comprises: detecting when thewebpage has substantially finished loading; and initiating performingthe converting in response to the detecting.
 3. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein converting components of a webpage from anonline status to an offline status is performed by at least one of abrowser extension, an operating system, and an application.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the webpage comprises atleast one of: a quick response code reader; a file encryptionapplication; an encrypted messaging application; an address bookuploading application; an online code editor; a visual editor; a form; aphoto processing application; a photo filter application; a networkpermissions setting; and a password manager.
 5. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising identifying object tags in thewebpage to identify field components of the webpage requesting entry ofthe potentially sensitive information.
 6. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 5, further comprising temporarily blocking Internetaccess by the webpage in response to identifying the field components ofthe webpage requesting entry of the potentially sensitive information.7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprisingconverting the respective offline component to a user interface widget.8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprisingdisplaying a padlock image substantially near an image of the respectiveoffline component.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising displaying an image of the respective offlinecomponent in a color contrasting with a color of a substantiallyadjacent component of the webpage.
 10. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, further comprising: identifying online and offlinecomponents of the webpage; and displaying at least one identifierindicating which components of the webpage are online.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: marking anadditional component of the webpage as for offline information only; andblocking sensitive information entered into the additional componentfrom being sent to the Internet.
 12. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, further comprising, in response to the receiving the sensitiveinformation input: generating a public-private key pair; and encryptingthe sensitive information input with the public-private key pair,wherein the sensitive information input must be encrypted prior toreleasing the outgoing network request.
 13. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising detecting a type of action thatthe network request is performing.
 14. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, further comprising passing the sensitive information inputfrom an offline thread to an online thread in response to receiving theapproval input.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising requesting, via a graphical user interface displayed on adisplay device, the approval input.
 16. A system for controllinguploading of potentially sensitive information to the Internet, thesystem comprising: at least one physical processor; physical memorycomprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by thephysical processor, cause the physical processor to: load, at thesystem, at least a portion of a webpage; and perform a security actioncomprising: converting, at the computing device, components of thewebpage from an online status to an offline status; receiving asensitive information input to a respective offline component of thewebpage; converting, based on a stored user preference that indicatesautomatically converting an offline component to the online status inresponse to receiving the sensitive information input, the respectiveoffline component to the online status; buffering an outgoing networkrequest comprising the sensitive information input; receiving anapproval input indicating approval to transmit the potentially sensitiveinformation to the Internet; and releasing the outgoing network requestin response to receiving the approval input.
 17. The system of claim 16,further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executedby the physical processor, cause the physical processor to pass thesensitive information input from an offline thread to an online threadin response to receiving the approval input.
 18. The system of claim 16,further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executedby the physical processor, cause the physical processor to request, viaa graphical user interface displayed on a display device, the approvalinput.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one ormore computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at leastone processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to:load, at the computing device, at least a portion of a webpage; andperform a security action comprising: converting, at the computingdevice, components of the webpage from an online status to an offlinestatus; receiving a sensitive information input to a respective offlinecomponent of the webpage; converting, based on a stored user preferencethat indicates automatically converting an offline component to theonline status in response to receiving the sensitive information input,the respective offline component to the online status; buffering anoutgoing network request comprising the sensitive information input;receiving an approval input indicating approval to transmit potentiallysensitive information to the Internet; and releasing the outgoingnetwork request in response to receiving the approval input.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, further comprisingone or more computer-executable instructions that, when executed by atleast one processor of the computing device, cause the computing deviceto pass the sensitive information input from an offline thread to anonline thread in response to receiving the approval input.